EAD launches environmental competition on climate change

This is the seventh year the competition is being launched. It is sponsored by Shell Abu Dhabi and organized in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Abu Dhabi Educational Zone.

This year's competition shares the same theme of World Environment Day which is: Climate Change: A Hot Topic. This theme will help students better understand the negative effects that Climate Change is currently having on our Earth. The competition is open to all students of Government and Private schools within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Last year's competition saw the participation of over 132 schools with 931 students from both Government and Private schools.

In this year's competition, contestants below the age of 6 are being asked to create a piece of art under the theme "Our Hot Sun", while students aged 6-8 in primary schools are required to produce artwork under the theme "Melting Ice and Polar Animals". Students aged from 9-11 are asked to produce artwork reflecting the theme "Our Changing Climate". Students aged 11-14 in middle schools are asked to write a short story describing Climate Change through the eyes of plants and animals.

Students aged 15 and above in senior secondary schools are asked to draw a cartoon/caricature with a slogan reflecting the theme "Save the Earth from Climate Change". Also contestants in the same age group can participate in a group of no more than 5 students to prepare a research paper under the theme "Measuring Energy Consumption Patterns in your Neighborhood".

Participating schools will run an intra-school competition and then submit the three best entries, from each category, to EAD. Prizes will be awarded during a special award ceremony and a prize will also be given to each winning school. The closing date for the competition is set for end of February for Category 2 and 4 and end of March for Category 1 and 3, while winners will be announced at the end of April.

What's the difference between global warming and climate change?

"Global warming" refers to the increase of the Earth's average surface temperature, due to a build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. "Climate change" is a broader term that refers to long-term changes in climate, including average temperature and precipitation.

What do you know about climate change?

Carbon dioxide, ozone, methane, sulfur oxides, hydrogen and nitrogen oxides are gases that are considered impurities causing air pollution when more concentration in the atmosphere leads to an imbalance in atmospheric constituents and thermal equilibrium.

This results in changes in the climate and atmosphere. It also has adverse effects on human health. One of the biggest threats to the natural balance is an increased concentration of Carbon dioxide.

In the late 20th Century, dependence on fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) as a principal source of energy and a major gas and the use of CFCs in industries increased significantly. This has led scientists to believe that there has led to an increase in the warmth of the Earth's surface.

What is the greenhouse effect?

It is the gradual rise in the temperature of the layer near the Earth's surface from the Earth's atmosphere. This is due to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases are water vapor, Carbon dioxide, Nitrous oxide, methane, Ozone and CFCs.

Surface temperatures will continue to increase. This means that the impact on the climate will become clear and the following is most likely to occur:

1- Large parts of ice will melt and lead to rising sea levels, causing floods. This is a threat to low islands and coastal cities.
2- Storms will increase in number and become more severe.
3- More infectious diseases spreading in the world.
4- Some species will become extinct and biodiversity will be reduced.
5- Occurrence of droughts.
6- Disaster and loss of some agricultural crops.

What can you do to help?

Participate in this Competition and show you care!

We must do our bit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow climate change. Reducing emissions will benefit the world's wildlife, as well as our own health and well-being.